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Botsford News Release

Local Woman Finds Success with Botsford's Weight Loss Program

Farmington Hills, Mich. (April 1, 2010)---For years, Pat Tokar, a Farmington Hills resident, has been dealing with being overweight. With a history of heart disease in her family, she realizes the importance of taking control of her health, especially since she is borderline diabetic. She has tried every diet plan on the market. So when she heard about Botsford Hospital’s new weight management program, ReNew, she decided to give it a try.

Tokar says, “I would always try weight loss programs, but I was never able to stick with them. Many programs are confusing with point systems, aren’t supportive or leave you feeling hungry, but with Botsford’s program it’s been so easy. The meal replacements are wonderful. I can make anything from pancakes to soups or pizza and I don’t feel hungry after. There is also a strong support system with the staff and the other participants. I don’t want to miss a class.”

Tokar joined Botsford Hospital’s fitness center, the Botsford Center for Health Improvement, in January and started the ReNew program in February. ReNew is a 20-week program that utilizes a meal replacement supplement with medically managed support and monitoring. The program includes weekly group sessions with a dietitian and exercise physiologist, individual phone coaching, lab work, regular monitoring with Farmington physician, Joe Williams, D.O., and a fitness membership.

Denise Marecki, a registered dietitian at Botsford Center for Health Improvement and the ReNew program manager, says, “This program allows participants to greatly improve their health. Pat has been able to improve her blood glucose levels and others in the class are lowering their blood pressure, improving their blood lipid profiles and taking stress off their joints.”

After six weeks, Tokar has lost more than 20 pounds. Tokar, says, “The program is wonderful. After trying so many programs, I never thought it would work. Having support through Botsford is crucial. Plus my son is supportive too and even bought me a Wii Fit that we are both using!”

Marecki, says, “Pat has been through so much over the years. She is a true inspiration. No matter what health concerns Pat is going through, she gets through with such a positive attitude. In 2001, she battled with breast cancer, just months after her husband passed away. Botsford Hospital physicians and staff helped her through then and now we are helping improve her health for years to come.”

Sidebar:
Informational sessions about the ReNew program will be held on Saturday, April 10 at 11 a.m. and Monday, April 12 at 9 a.m. A new 20-week session starts on Monday, April 19 at 9 a.m. Registration is required for both the informational sessions and 20-week program. Please contact the Botsford Center for Health Improvement at (248) 473-3100 for details or to register.

Beaumont Health is a not-for-profit organization formed by Beaumont Health System, Botsford Health Care and Oakwood Healthcare to provide high-quality, efficient, accessible services in a caring environment for southeastern Michigan residents and beyond. As one of Beaumont Health's eight hospitals, Botsford Hospital is a multi-specialty 330-bed hospital and verified trauma center located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The campus also houses an imaging center, a comprehensive care cancer center and an extensive medical education program---part of Michigan State University's Statewide Campus System. Annually, Botsford cares for about 16,000 inpatients and more than 60,000 emergency and trauma patients with a team of approximately 2,500 employees, 300 volunteers and 600 physicians.